Abstract

The biochemical changes influencing shoot regeneration in mangroves, viz. Bruguiera parviflora (Roxb) Wt. & Arn. Ex Griff. , Kandelia candel (L.) Druce. and Rhizophora apiculata Bl. was studied by  analysing antioxidant enzyme activities during induction of in vivo multiple shoot regeneration. The impact of NaCl and proline on enzyme behavior was evaluated during multiple shootings in treated and control hypocotyls. Peroxidase (POX) activity in K. candel increased by 2.58 and 2.80 fold as compared to B. parviflora and R. apiculata, respectively, after 5 days of NaCl treatment. Exogenous application of NaCl also enhanced catalase (CAT) activity considerably inK. candel. Similarly, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in K. candel increased 1.6 and 3.7 fold as compared to B. parviflora and R. apiculata, respectively. Proline application, however, inhibited the enzyme activity in all three species. Antioxidant enzymes may be used as possible markers for evaluating species-specific ability for induction of in vivo multiple shoot regeneration in Rhizophoraceae mangroves.

Key words: Bruguiera, catalase (CAT), Kandelia, peroxidase (POX), proline,Rhizophora, superoxide dismutase (SOD).

Abbreviation

Abbreviations: SOD, Superoxide dismutase; BP, Bruguiera  parviflora;  RA,Rhizophora apiculata; KC, Kandelia candel; POX, peroxidase; NBT, nitroblue tetrazolium.